ICPC Initiates Legal Action Against Rural Electrification Agency Officials for Alleged Fraud.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced legal proceedings against several officials of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for their alleged involvement in fraudulent activities totaling over N1.2 billion. Among these officials is Usman Ahmed Kwakwa, who was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges amounting to N298 million.
According to Premium Times, the ICPC has separately charged at least five officials, including Mr. Kwakwa, for various amounts of funds they allegedly misappropriated from the agency in March 2023. Mr. Kwakwa pleaded not guilty to the charges presented before him and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million.
However, three other officials, Emmanuel Pada Titus, Umar Musa Karaye, and Henrientta Onomen Okojie, were absent from their scheduled arraignment. Consequently, the court ordered their arrest for failing to appear, despite being duly informed of the proceedings.
The charges against the accused officials involve allegations of moving funds from the agency’s accounts to their personal accounts through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) payment platform. These funds, meant for providing electricity to rural communities, were allegedly misappropriated for personal gain.
Mr. Karaye, one of the officials arraigned, is facing charges related to the fraudulent transfer of N298 million to his personal account under the pretext of project supervision. Similar charges have been filed against other officials, accusing them of unlawfully diverting funds and contributing to the economic adversity of the Rural Electrification Agency.
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The ICPC’s investigation into the REA revealed widespread corruption, prompting President Bola Tinubu to suspend the agency’s management team led by Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad. While Mr. Ahmad’s name did not appear in the charges, the agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Abubakar Sambo, is reportedly implicated in the fraudulent activities but has not yet been arraigned.
The legal action taken by the ICPC underscores its commitment to combating corruption and holding public officials accountable for their actions. As the case progresses, it serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government agencies to safeguard public funds and ensure effective service delivery.
